The Devolution of Debate

On October 15th, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas participated in the 7th of a series of debates in Alton, Illinois, in order to persuade the Illinois public to elect one of them as state senator. The debate in Alton discussed each candidate's view of the Kansas-Nebraska act, the Dred Scott case, and the constitutionality of slavery, some of the same ideas that were reviewed in the 5th debate in Galesburg, Illinois, and the 6th debate in Quincy, Illinois.

During his speech, Douglas attempted to label Lincoln as a hypocrite, stating that Lincoln did not support the idea of abolishment.

Lincoln stated that he never made any complaints regarding the Dred Scott case and Douglas’ allegations that claimed Lincoln had made such remarks, were in fact, false.

“I have done no such thing, and Judge Douglas so persistently insisting that I have done so, has strongly impressed me with the belief of a predetermination on his part to misrepresent me. He could not get his foundation for insisting that I was in favor of this negro equality any where else as well he could by assuming that untrue proposition.”

Lincoln’s lack of complaint regarding the Dred Scott case during an earlier speech in Springfield, Illinois, brought his abolitionist views into question, whether he did or did not support the idea of abolition.

Lincoln believed that new western territories should be deemed slavery free. During his speech he quoted Henry Clay in order to support his idea of emerging territories outlawing slavery.

"I desire no concealment of my opinions in regard to the institution of slavery. I look upon it as a great evil, and deeply lament that we have derived it from the parental Government, and from our ancestors. I wish every slave in the United States was in the country of his ancestors. But here they are; the question is how they can best be dealt with? If a state of nature existed, and we were about to lay the foundations of society, no man would be more strongly opposed than I should be, to incorporate the institution of slavery among its elements."

In contrast with the Lincoln Douglas debates, the recent Presidential debates have fallen short of the standards for political discussion. During the Lincoln-Douglas debates, candidates were given 60 minutes to recite their speeches and 30 minutes to respond to the speech of their opponent. These longer answers to questions and rebuttals allowed for candidates to explain their policies throughly, preventing far more misunderstanding or misrepresentations to occur. The current Presidential debates limit candidates to far shorter responses to questions, usually only 2-3 minutes each, resulting in general outlines of their policies rather than detailed answers.

I believe that Lincoln and Douglas were far more affluent and engaging speakers than John McCain or Barack Obama. There have been several points during the current debates in which I have felt very disappointed with the level of confidence behind each candidate as they speak.